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Yes, this blog typically will be reserved for Bengals-centric musings, but every once in a while a larger issue that ultimately does take on a local effect enters into my conversation.

That's the case this week coming off a weekend where my project addressed when children should be allowed to play football. For any parent having this discussion, I'd love for you to read through the piece. Truly, the ultimate issue in addressing the safety of the game at the youth level is through education. The more people understand the issues at play, the less there is to be scared of.

More on that piece below. First, I want to address an increasingly prevalent type of NFL player. Used to be anybody in the league sacrificed just about anything in order to stay there. Making millions playing a game? Of course you tough it out. We are now beginning to see more players in their prime walk away stating it's just not worth it to them anymore.

Rashard Mendenhall made headlines walking away this offseason at age 26 and writing this insightful story about the reasoning. During my research for the Sunday project, I came across former UC star and New England Patriots defensive lineman Mike Wright.

Wright played seven years in the league, including some pretty darn productive ones. In his last 27 games, he racked up 11 sacks. He was still in his 20s. He had to walk away, however. He didn't want to. He had to.

Years of popping helmets brought on five concussions. After the last two, the road back to normal grew hazier and more challenging. Then Mike and his wife had their first child. A second little girl since arrived for the now 32-year-old living in his hometown, where he attended Purcell Marian High School. Life becomes more important.

"I did not want to stop but the concussion thing just became too much," he said. "I racked up five of them. The final two were pretty bad. I did not think I was going to come back from the second to last one. I thought it was permanently impaired, if you will. The first one happened at a time I was at the height of my career. Playing the game with no regrets, I was like, I got to try one more time. I came back for 2011 season and we had opener against Miami I played one preseason game and felt fine. I got a ding in the same spot and went down. It wasn't severe but lingered on longer than expected. I said, 'It's just time to wrap this up.'"

Life rarely used to scare the NFL Tough Guy. These guys take on the scariest, most violent game this country has to offer every Sunday; they aren't supposed to blink with fear. Ever. As the information becomes clearer and cases like Junior Seau play out tragically for all to witness, acting tough often means acting negligent.

More and more NFL players understand that concept now. That's a win for science. That's a win for reality. That's a win for quality of life.

Nobody knows better than Wright.

"It really wasn't (worth it)," he said. "Thank God I've cleared up. I'm fortunate for the NFL and that CBA, they really take care of us guys now. It's hard for the guys before, which is ridiculous, but it's really cool to see all the light being brought to it."

He wants to make sure more and more light is brought to it. He currently trains young athletes but is always ready to spread the message about safety with concussions. In relation to any parent or player for that matter, he just wants everyone to be educated and understand how scary this can be when it happens. The more an athlete can back away and see the importance of precaution over toughness, the more they could possibly save their own life and sanity.

More and more athletes like Wright are doing just that. It's good for a league and a refreshing trend for the NFL.

WELCOME MAT

Couldn't be more excited to announce that Richard Skinner is joining me on the Bengals beat. He's covered the club back in the 90s and been a constant in the Cincinnati sports scene for decades on TV, radio and lately leading our Northern Kentucky coverage at The Enquirer. The guy works as hard as anybody you know and I can promise the coverage will be dynamic, informative and you'll certainly be able to tell we are having a blast bringing it to you.

A welcome to new Bengals beat writer Richard Skinner as the series previewing positions entering training camp kicks off with quarterbacks.

COUNTDOWN

Also, as a shameless plug reminder, next Tuesday, July 22 at 7 p.m. at Moerlein Lager House, we will kick off the second season of Beyond The Stripes. I couldn't be more pumped. Our guest will be new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. Myself, Skinny, Doc and Lindsay will be previewing the season. I shouldn't have to beg you to come drink beer and talk football, but I will if that's necessary.

There is no more worthless cluster in all of sports media than the SEC Media Days. When I covered it as a Georgia beat writer about half a decade ago it was out of control. It's about 50 percent larger now. Though, it was the home of my favorite column ever written. One year Florida brought Urban Meyer coming off a title, Tim Tebow coming off the Heisman and Philippines circumcisions. They brought one other person on that media perfect storm -- a little-known offensive tackle named Phil Trautwein coming off a knee injury. All I could think was I must find Phil Trautwein. He was such an afterthought they didn't even bring him in the massive media room as all the rest of the players were trotted into. Instead, they stuck him down the hall in an empty room where they kept all the extra media guides. Literally three people found him. Perfect.

Anybody whose read my blog even back to my GoBearcats.com days knows all too well my love of Outkast. I've been petitioning for their reunion tour for years. This Friday, I'll be headed to the Forecastle Festival in Louisville to them. I'm beyond stoked. If Andy Dalton signs that day, you'll want to keep your distance from me. Anyway, have to fill the blog with some old school Outkast this week.